Sunday Meditation

"Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!"
-Theophile Gautier

Warm Fuzzies

These gorgeous throws are made from sustainable yarns,
often using ECO2cotton™, a recycled cotton alternative.

And a portion of all proceeds are given to support 
students active in environmental causes

as well as environmental organizations such as Leave No Trace.
So, now you can really feel warm and fuzzy all over!

Zippy Handbag

Well, look at this fresh little number from Matt and Nat!

So stylish and clever!

It has chic zipper detailing and lots of pockets to

help keep you organized. 

And, besides being leather-free , 

its lining is made out of recycled plastic water bottles!

Here's to beauty AND brains!

Pure Genius

I've been looking around for a new sofa
and finding one that's both stylish and 
environmentally responsible 
is harder than you'd think!
I just found this collection by PURE.

All of the materials they use are 
biodegradable and sustainable.

(Because it's never chic for your furniture to off-gas 

or leach chemicals into the air in your home.)

Dresser Refresh

I've had a bee (or a pea?) in my bonnet for the last few months...

I've been wanting a little dresser in order to have a bit more storage -

and a little more table top real-estate for my treasures.

After some searching, I found this dresser on Craigslist for $55.

I like blue, but this was just a little too blue.

So after sanding, priming and painting...

And some new hardware (Anthropologie)...

It looks like this!

(Zandia likes it too.)

Retro Pet

I ran across this print at a local pet store.

As you can see, I thought it was a portrait of my dog, Zandia!

Of course I couldn't resist taking it home.

The artist is Krista Brooks and her company is Retro Pets.

She has a drop-down menu where you can select by breed.

So chances are, you'll find your pet in a print too!

Happy Handbag

I love this chic, happy handbag - Tallulah - from Susan Nichole.

It has a retro vibe and would definitely perk up any outfit.

It's made from canvas and faux leather and it has a

detachable cross-body strap so you can easily bust out a hand jive.

Art Fair

I am lucky enough to be living one block from Alki Beach in Seattle.

This weekend, there was an art fair along the boardwalk.

The weather was beautiful (finally!).

So, I ventured out to see what I would find.

What a beautiful setting for an art fair!

I was so excited to see Jennifer Ament at the fair!

I've been coveting her prints in a local store for months.

And here she was!

Jennifer is a local printmaker and painter.

I really love her linocuts.

They are stark, yet delicate.

You should also check out her blog, Art & Lair.

It's beautiful, eclectic and inspiring.

This is the print I purchased.

I love it!

You can see more of Jennifer's work at jenniferament.com

Next, I was on a mission to find Jim Gerlitz.

I had seen a painting of his in Alki Arts, a local gallery.

But when I went back a few weeks later,

his work was no longer showing.

But!...the gallery owner told me he would

be at the fair and was kind enough to call and ask him to

hold the painting I had inquired about.

Jim had my painting waiting for me (the girl walking on the beach)!

There is something about it that I just love.

It makes me happy.

And isn't that the point of art?

You can see more of Jim's work at

jimgerlitz.blogspot.com.

A big thank you to all the artists out there

who are doing what they love!

Sunday Meditation

"Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is

the goal of all evolution.

Until we stop harming all other living beings,

we are still savages."

~Thomas A. Edison

Photo by Sharon Montrose

Excellent Wedges

Oh my do I love these wedges!

The perfect shoe for a summer garden party...

...because it's never chic for your heels

to get stuck in the lawn.

And of course they're cruelty-free!

Bright Whites

For some reason I've been drawn to white rooms lately.

They look so fresh.

I can almost feel a breeze when I look at them.

I used to think white was too precious.

But now I have a white slipcovered couch and love it.

Just last night I managed to spatter cherry juice on it -

I tossed the cover in the wash

and it came out good as new! (whew!)

So I like to think these

rooms could work in real life too.